News

Saskatoon, SK - May 19, 2010 - The Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise Inc. (PREVENT), has reached an agreement with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan for the exclusive rights to use proprietary technology in the development of a vaccine for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) aimed at controlling the disease in domestic and wild cervids (deer and elk). The University of British Columbia, PrioNet Canada, and the University of Toronto are also stakeholders in the licensed patents.

"This vaccine will target chronic wasting disease, progressive, fatal, and incurable prion disease which has devastated the alternative livestock farming industry and it has spread within wild deer and elk populations” said Dr. Gerry Brown, Director of Commercialization with PREVENT.

Unfortunately depopulation, which is an effective control measure with the related mad cow disease, increases the CWD prion disease problem in wildlife. The vaccine would control CWD in deer and elk and reduce the potential for cross-species transmission to traditional livestock (i.e. cattle). If the latter were to occur, it would have a significant and serious economic impact on the livestock industry.

A considerable reservoir of chronic wasting disease has been established in wild elk and deer populations. Elk and deer are important natural resources in their own right with significant economic contributions through farmed animals as well as the gaming industry. Furthermore, these animals are important for the diets of Canada’s Northern populations and aboriginal communities.

The use of a CWD vaccine would be a critical component to wildlife disease control. Control of this disease is essential to the industry and game harvesters that rely on the natural resource” said Mr. Brian Hoffart, President of the Saskatchewan Outfitters Association.

“Research and scientific discovery change the lives of Canadians and people around the world,” said the honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). “That is why our Government is investing in the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program – to move Canadian technology into products that bring significant benefits to Canada”.

PREVENT intends to commercialize the vaccine by utilizing resources within VIDO-InterVac at the University of Saskatchewan. PREVENT also plans to work with PrioNet Canada (a Network of Centre of Excellence) Pathogenesis and Bioassay Platform Facility hosted by the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. The program will initially target development of an injectable vaccine for use in farmed elk and deer in Canada. Subsequent expansion into other countries is anticipated as well as development of an oral vaccine for use in wild populations as a second generation product.

PREVENT received funding from the Networks of Centre of Excellence-Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research. The Networks of Centres of Excellence is an initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Industry Canada. An incorporated not-for-profit organization, PREVENT will accelerate the development of promising early-stage vaccine candidates to address existing or potential human health issues. By partnering with Canadian stakeholders and shouldering the risk of early-stage vaccine development, PREVENT will strengthen Canada’s vaccine industry, promoting growth, investment and improved global competitiveness.